West Ham United had the better of things during the first-half of Monday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, Taty Castellanos seeing an overhead kick cleared almost off the goalline.
Castellanos scored a 99-second brace against Wolves ten days earlier, so arrived at Selhurst Park with confidence coursing through his veins.
Then again, even when West Ham United’s £27 million January signing was in the midst of a barren streak, barely a game would go by without Taty Castellanos attempting an acrobatic volley of some kind.
Taty on a Premier League podium! 🥉 🇦🇷
Is he justifying his £27m price-tag now?
Palace defender Maxence Lacroix was a doubt for Monday’s 8pm kick-off. Much to Oliver Glasner’s relief and much to the frustration of a certain Argentine striker, Lacroix was not only in the starting XI but in the right place at the right time as Castellanos hooked a shonky Dean Henderson punch goalward.
Taty Castellanos nearly scores a West Ham United wondergoal at Selhurst Park
“A strong last ten minutes from West Ham,” Sky Sports commentator Alan Smith said after Henderson made amends with a fine reflex stop to deny Konstantinos Mavropanos yet another goal.
“Of the two sides, West Ham don’t look like the one battling against relegation. They look the more accomplished team.
“They are turning up the heat, the Hammers.
“Important stop from Henderson. Mavropanos gets good power on it. It’s pretty much down the throat of the keeper, but he’s got to get the right arm up and it’s a really good save.
“[West Ham] have played the better football, there is no doubt. West Ham should feel this is there for the taking. They have been the better team.”
The message is clear!
If you want Mavro, prepare to put your money where your mouth is… 💸💸💸
Hammers outplay Crystal Palace in goalless first-half
Like Castellanos, Mavropanos scored twice against Wolverhampton Wanderers. After no goals in 86 Premier League games, the Greek defender was a Henderson save away from four in five.
“I do feel West Ham have a sharper cutting edge than Palace,” former Arsenal striker Smith said, the home side’s best chance coming when the luckless Brennan Johnson saw a shot deflect wide by that man Mavropanos.
“They look a well-coached team West Ham, making it difficult for Palace to find those passes through the middle.
“West Ham have certainly got more about them going forward. They have just got to make sure they make that count.”
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